Stemless canopy



April 16, 1929- A. K. SUTHERLAND 1,709,288

STEMLESS CANOPY Filed March 30, 1925 1G -a Z1 Z1 WITNESSES I am ETOR 1 l v.

m E a 6 ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 16, 1 929.

nn rsn stares PA l lEIl l'l' OFFECE.

ALEXANDER K. SUTEIEBLAND, F IIIL'W'AUKEE, VfISGOI-TSIFJ, ASSIGIEQE TO MOE- BRIDGES COMPATL Y, OF IviILVJAUKEE, \VISCOBTSIN, A CORPORATION OF 'WISGONSIN.

STEMLESS CANOPY.

Application filed March 30. 1925. Serial No. 19,410.

This invention relates to stemless canopies for electrical outlets and has for its object to provide a canopy for electric lighting fixtures which will avoid the necessity for the use of a stem providing limited movement of the canopy from the ceiling to permit work being done behind it and will instead be capable or" movement the full length of the suspending chain.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a canopy with adjusting means compensating for varying lengths of attaching means to which it may be connected.

Another object oi the invention is to provide means for holding the canopy against the ceiling and permitting of adjustment thereof to make a close-fitting connection.

Another object of the invention is to provide a canopy having a more ornamental appearance by avoiding the presence of an adjusting stem.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists in the stemless canopy herein claimed and all equivalents.

' Refer-rin the accompanying drawings, in which like characters of reierence indicate the same parts in different views,

Fig. 1 is sectional view of a stemlcss canopy constructed in accordance with this invention 2 is a se tional detail. view of the lower edge the canopy member showing the inclined screw thread formed thereby,

. 1, with a portion of the supporting rber broken away.

in these drawings, indicates a metal canopy, which, instead of fitting on a tubular stem with set-screw for holding it in place thereon, is provided with a central opening sufficiently large to permit it to freely pass over the chain 11. r

The chain may be suspended in any desirable manner but the means shown is particularly suitable by reason of its adj ustability. Such means consists oi a screw cap 12 adapted to be threaded on a hickey 13 or the stub end of a gas pipe, and threaded through it is screw shank let with a lock nut 15. Also threao ed on the screw shanl: the loci: nut 16 is a (S-shaped connector 17, sucn threaded connection being formed with one of its arms, while other arm has threaded in it the chain end 18' with the usual wire passageway 19 througu it. Clamped between the shoulder portion of the chain end 18 and the connector 17 is a supporting member 20 ot' a size and shape to fitthe opening of the canoj y member and provided with one or more projections 21 which are cleared by the edge oi the canopy member by means oi? notches 22 formed therein and are then engaged by such edge, which is inclined to form a screw-thread, as shown in Fig. 2, to cause an increasing clamping movement urging the canopy member toward the ceiling as the canopy member is turned around the sup porting member. This projection and notch engagement between the canopy and supporting member is in effect a bayonet slot connection as well as a screw thread connection.

By means of this invention the presence of the usual stem is avoided with its tendency to become scratched and have its finish marred by the particles of loose plaster falling within th canopy; with its unsightly exposure when attached to a projecting pipe end; and with its limited provision for movement of the canopy when attached to a pipe end flush with or above the level of the ceiling. Instead the canopy is free to be turned to release it from its engagement with the supporting member and then it may freely be lowered over the chain the full length thereof, gving tree access to the connections and adjustments which it normally conceals.

The proper positioning of the supporting member with respect to the surface of the ceiling may be accomplished irrespective of irregularities in the positioning of the pipe end or hickey to which the fixture is connected by reason oi the adj nstments of the screw shank 1 1 within the screw cap 12 and the connector 1C,'said adjustments when once eflected being maintained by the lock nuts.

Not only does the present invention have the mechanical advantages above mentioned, but it presents a neat and ornamental. appearance without parts liable to be scratched i the operation or raising and lowering the canopy.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A steml ss canopy for electrical outlets comprising a screw cap, a screw shank threaded therein, a connector on the screw shank, a chain having its end connected to the connector, supporting member clam ed beprovided with projections, and a, canopy member having an opening fitting on the supporting member and provided with notches in the edge of the opening to receive the projections, said edge of the opening being inclined to form a screw connection with the projections.

2. A stemless canopy for suspension chain lighting fixtures comprising a suitably mounted supporting member, a chain depending therefrom of smaller diameter, a canopy member having an opening fitting around the supporting member and capable of freely passing over the chain, and aseries of projections on the supporting member, there being notches in the edges of the opening to receive the projections, and said edges of the opening being inclined to form a screw connection with the projections.

In testimonywhereof, I affix my signature. ALEXANDER K. SUTHERLAND. 

